A 16-YEAR-OLD boy has admitted playing with matches in a stable, causing a fire that killed a horse and two ponies.

The fire, on Godscroft Lane, Helsby, destroyed the wooden building and devastated owners Liz and David Gray, who were devoted to their prizewinning animals.

Speaking outside Chester Crown Court last week, they said they were relieved not to go through a trial but would always feel the pain of their loss.

Four youths aged 16 to 19 were arrested after the fire but the 16-year-old, whose identity is protected by a court order, was the only one charged.

Last week, he admitted playing with matches in the stable on Friday, November 12, despite being aware the horses were inside.

He left the scene without attempting to alert anyone to the fire. Hours later, he burgled a house on Old Chester Road, Helsby, and took a Vauxhall Corsa without consent.

He will return to court on April 22 for sentencing, following medical reports and a pre-sentence report.

Liz and David have now begun rebuilding their stables, with the help of Shetland Ponies Esta and Ella - the daughter and niece of Ellen, who died in the fire.

Paul Teesdale, chief field officer for the International League for the Protection of Horses, said: 'This was a particularly repulsive, distressing crime in which three much-loved and successful horses were caused an excruciating death.'

Meanwhile, the sole survivor of the stable fire has settled down into her new home. Moustique, Liz and David's tabby stable cat, was seen asleep in the loft an hour before it collapsed but managed to escape.